Having made countless trips from various locations in eastern PA. to FL. all I can say is that 81-77-26 is the only way we go. In my situation, Mapquest claims that it takes an additional hour and 30 miles VS. I-95. Given the ability to avoid 95, as it travels through hundreds of miles of some of the busiest, most crowded parts of the country, I doubt that you could make up that hour, unless you rolled through in the middle of the night. !-81 down the Shenendoah Valley of VA. can be downright relaxing, compared to I-95.